Folk horror is one of my favorite sub-genres. Whether you are familiar with it or not, the same question springs to mind: what is folk horror, exactly? Folk horror essentially comes down to horror stories based on the folklore of various cultures or traditions of close-knit communities. Folk horror stories can also stem from other sources of storytelling and belief, such as myths and legends. These stories often feature themes of ritual, sacrifice, superstition, paganism, isolation, and dark secrets protected by a connected group. Folk horror often takes place in rural areas or otherwise disconnected communities, often holding the protagonist(s) far from the rest of society. The themes presented as the horrors of the story are often connected to nature or spirituality.
The following are examples of folk horror films (many of which are already well-known and loved by horror fans):
The Wicker Man (1973)
Children of the Corn (1984)
The Company of Wolves (1984)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Witch (2015)
The Wailing (2016)
The Ritual (2017)
The Other Lamb (2019)
Midsommar (2019)
Lamb (2021)
Gaia (2021)
Enys Men (2022)
You Won’t Be Alone (2022)
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Until next time,
Jordan
By Night 